The red light is flashing for the Oxford hockey team – and not the red light that flashes behind the net when a goal is scored either.
After losing their fifth game in a row, and extending their winless streak to seven games, the Wildcats are desperately searching for answers as the season dwindles away. Last week, Oxford dropped games against two more league opponents, the Linden Eagles and the Goodrich Martians, both teams they beat last season.
On Jan. 23, the Wildcats lost to the Eagles for the second time this season by 6-2. The game began much the same as most with Oxford being outshot and outplayed in the first period. Linden registered 15 shots on goaltender Mike Stechschulte, scoring three times in the opening period; while Oxford’s only goal came from Sean Degler at 6:12.
In the second period, Captain Paul Weis scored at 7:27 with an assist from Degler. It was the forth-consecutive game that Weis had recorded at least one point. Despite the captain’s efforts, Linden again scored three goals in the period to take a commanding 6-2 lead, which would prove to be the final score.
The very next day Oxford faced off against Goodrich. The Martians defeated the Wildcats in a 5-3 contest, despite a flurry of shots and missed opportunities near the end of the game, including a shot by JT Anderson that rang off the goalpost with under two minutes to play.
Oxford scored twice in the final period, with goals coming from Anderson and Mike Lawrence. Goaltender Brian Beaupied made 21 saves in a losing effort, and the Wildcats outshot their opponents for the first time in six games.
Oxford’s final goal came off the stick of senior Josh DeBruyne, who made a nice steal and an even nicer shot that beat Goodrich’s goaltender over the shoulder at 10:38 of the second period.
The Wildcats will be desperately trying to find a way to salvage an already lost season as they host Lapeer West on Jan. 28 at the Polar Palace. Game time will be 3:30 P.M.
Mike Stechschulte is a junior at Oxford High School who plans to major in the field of journalism.